EPISODE 74 : REAGAN RUST

Senior Director of Hockey Operations | NTDP From growing up playing hockey in Detroit to competing at the collegiate level, coaching youth hockey, scouting in the USHL, and eventually earning a role with the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL, Rod Braceful's journey is a powerful reminder that success isn't always a straight line. What started as a passion for the game evolved into a career built on relationships, hard work, taking chances, and recognizing opportunities others might overlook. Today, as Senior Director of Hockey Operations for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, Rod is helping shape the future of American hockey, developing the next generation of talent while creating opportunities for those coming behind him. His journey proves that you don't have to make it to the NHL as a player to make an incredible impact on the game. Sometimes the path you never imagined becomes the one you're meant to take. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

COMMISSIONER | OHL Sometimes the biggest opportunities for growth come from looking beyond the game itself. This week on Locker Room Life, we sit down with OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford to discuss bringing fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and leadership experience from across the sports industry into one of hockey's most historic leagues. From playing professional football in the CFL to leadership roles across basketball and golf, Bryan's journey is anything but conventional. His experiences as both an athlete and sports executive have shaped a unique vision for the future of junior hockey. We explore the importance of challenging tradition, embracing change, elevating the fan experience, and creating new opportunities for the next generation of players.Because moving the game forward doesn't mean forgetting where it came from. It means having the courage to see where it can go. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reagan Rust's journey is a reminder that there's so much more to an athlete's story than what we see on the ice. Growing up in Mississippi, where hockey opportunities were limited, Reagan and her family made countless sacrifices to pursue her dream. Long road trips, attending five different high schools, and years of dedication led her to become the first female hockey player from Mississippi to compete at the NCAA Division I level. Her journey took her from RIT to Boston University, where she became a team captain and helped win the 2019 Beanpot, before continuing her career professionally in North America and Europe. But behind those accomplishments were challenges that weren't always visible. Reagan opened up about her battles with depression and anxiety, the pressures of competing at a high level, and the importance of finding your identity beyond being an athlete. Today, she uses those experiences to advocate for mental health, encourage honest conversations, and support the next generation of athletes. We're grateful to Reagan for joining Locker Room Life and sharing the sacrifices, struggles, and lessons that have shaped her journey. Her story goes beyond hockey. It's about finding purpose through adversity and using your experiences to make a difference in the lives of others. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FULL CIRCLE. FROM PLAYING THE GAME TO HELPING SHAPE ITS FUTURE. Colby Cohen's journey is a reminder that hockey is about so much more than what happens on the ice. From the USHL's Lincoln Stars to scoring the unforgettable overtime winner for Boston University's 2009 National Championship, reaching the NHL, and becoming a respected voice in hockey media, Colby has experienced the game from nearly every perspective. Now, his journey comes FULL CIRCLE. As the new Vice President of Hockey & Player Experience for the USHL, Colby returns to the league that helped shape him, with an opportunity to inspire, mentor, and create a better experience for the next generation. Beyond the accomplishments, it's the person, the relationships, the lessons, and the willingness to keep evolving that make his story special. Colby, we're grateful for your friendship, your authenticity, and your commitment to giving back to the game that gave you so much. The game is bigger than the game. THIS IS LIFE. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ESPN REPORTER | DEAL BREAKER | MENTOR Some people chase their dreams. Others chase them while inspiring the next generation to do the same. From her early days at Sports Illustrated to becoming one of the most prominent voices in hockey as ESPN's Senior NHL Insider, Emily Kaplan has built an incredible career through passion, perseverance, and authenticity. From covering Stanley Cup Finals and historic NHL moments to breaking major stories, appearing on Around the Horn, and being recognized among hockey's most influential figures, Emily's accomplishments speak for themselves. But what makes Emily truly special goes far beyond her résumé. It's her character, humility, willingness to mentor others, and genuine desire to make a difference. Her journey is a reminder to chase your dreams, believe in your passion, and never forget the importance of lifting others up along the way. Success isn't just about what you accomplish, but the impact you leave on the people around you. We're incredibly grateful for her friendship, her perspective, and the opportunity to share her story. Emily, you're family. And that's what Locker Room Life is all about. THIS IS LIFE. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

THE GAME DOESN’T END WHEN YOU HANG UP THE SKATES. THE OPPORTUNITY IS JUST BEGINNING. Another installment of LOCKER ROOM LIFE: FOUNDER SERIES, where we spotlight the entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries building something bigger than themselves. What happens when the hockey community meets the world of venture capital? HOCKEY STICK VENTURES IS CHANGING THE GAME. Founded by former hockey player and investor Sean Hershman, Hockey Stick Ventures is connecting the hockey community with emerging brands, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities beyond the rink. From brands like Liquid Death, Recess, and Coconut Cult, the vision goes beyond investing. It's about identifying opportunities, backing innovators, and leveraging the relationships, discipline, and mentality built through hockey. The same mindset that builds great hockey players can build great entrepreneurs. This is what our FOUNDER SERIES is all about. Highlighting the people who take a vision, bet on themselves, and build something extraordinary. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FOUNDER | CREATOR - EVERYTHING COLLEGE HOCKEY We sat down with James Murray, founder of Everything College Hockey (ECH), to talk about turning a passion for hockey into a thriving media platform, brand, and business. From player interviews and highlights to the Pucks in Deep podcast, original content, merchandise, and partnerships, ECH has become a powerful voice in college hockey, connecting players, programs, and fans while helping grow the game. But behind the success is a story of hard work, sacrifice, persistence, and an unwavering belief in the vision. What stood out most was James's humility. He credits the hockey community, relationships, and people who continue to support ECH as the driving force behind its growth. A powerful lesson for every entrepreneur: Nothing meaningful is built overnight. Success takes sacrifice, consistency, and a community that believes in what you're building. Much respect to James for staying true to his passion and continuing to build something bigger than himself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Rabideau’s story is so much bigger than hockey. Mike’s journey through the game has taken him from playing professionally in the FHL, including time with the Brewster Bulldogs, to becoming a shooting consultant, trainer, coach and mentor helping the next generation of players develop their game. But the most powerful part of Mike’s story has nothing to do with goals, statistics or what happened on the ice. It’s what he had to overcome away from it. Mike has openly shared his battle with addiction and the personal challenges that came with it. At some of the lowest points of his life, hockey remained a foundation he could lean on. Eventually, the game became more than something he played. It became part of his recovery, his purpose and his opportunity to give back. Instead of allowing his past to define him, Mike turned his experiences into purpose. That purpose ultimately led him to create Modern Hockey, a platform built around coaching, mentoring and developing the next generation of hockey players. It’s about more than developing a better shot or becoming a better player. Mike has the opportunity to take everything the game and life have taught him and pass those lessons on to young athletes chasing their own dreams. His journey has also brought him to an incredible position working with the Edmonton Oilers organization in the NHL. Think about that journey. From battling addiction and facing some of the darkest moments of his life to creating Modern Hockey, mentoring the next generation and working at the highest level of hockey in the world. Mike’s story is proof that your mistakes do not have to define you. Your darkest chapter does not have to be your final chapter. Believe in yourself. Believe in the work. Believe in the vision you have for your future, even when your current circumstances make that future feel impossible. Sometimes the things you battle through become the exact experiences that allow you to make a difference in somebody else’s life. Mike Rabideau is an example that recovery is possible, purpose can come from struggle, and where you have been does not determine where you are going. The future can always be brighter. This is bigger than hockey. This is LIFE. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when you see an outdated problem in sports and decide to completely rethink it? We sat down with Matt Hall, Founder & CEO of TRUFIT Customs, to break down the journey behind building a sports technology company focused on making professional-grade custom-fit products more accessible to athletes at every level. Matt and the TRUFIT team took a process that was traditionally expensive, time-consuming and difficult to scale and built a digitally driven system around 3D scanning, digital design and advanced manufacturing. What started with custom-fit mouthguards has grown into something much bigger. TRUFIT has expanded its presence across the NFL, NHL, NCAA, PLL, UFC and other areas of elite sports, while continuing to develop new custom-fit products. Matt's journey has also taken TRUFIT to Shark Tank, where he secured a $750,000 deal with investor Rashaun Williams — another major step in scaling the vision. But this conversation isn't just about building a company. It's about identifying a real problem. Betting on an idea. Building the technology and systems behind it. Earning trust from athletes and organizations. And ultimately trying to change the standard for how athletes protect themselves and perform. This is the story behind the product. This is the story behind the founder. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Logan Renkowski’s journey is proof that your path doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to get where you’re supposed to go. From the USHL to the NAHL, back to the USHL, Logan continued to bet on himself. He kept working, kept believing and refused to let adversity define where his career was headed. Then came the breakthrough. 43 goals. 63 points. A Clark Cup Championship with the Sioux Falls Stampede. And now, the next chapter at the University of Vermont. Logan’s story is bigger than the numbers. It’s about staying committed when the journey changes. It’s about believing in yourself when the path gets difficult. And it’s about understanding that sometimes adversity is exactly what prepares you for what comes next. Different path. Same dream. Keep going. Keep believing. Your journey is YOUR journey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.